Forward-Leaning Support Apparatus with Sliding Base Proximity Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for supporting the head and upper body in a forward-leaning position, such as airline seats, often fail to provide adequate comfort due to limited recline angles, making it difficult for individuals to rest or sleep in seated positions, especially for those with back pain or physical limitations.
Innovation Solution
A customizable apparatus featuring a faceplate, arm, and base with adjustable components, including a telescoping arm, pivotable buttress, and sliding base, allowing users to independently adjust the angle, height, and proximity of the support to accommodate individual comfort needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If airline seats are designed with fixed recline angles (economy/business class), then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and comfort for different users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic recline mechanism that transitions from fixed angles to continuously adjustable angles. The base body slot and base slide assembly allow the base to move along a curved path, enabling the seat to achieve various recline angles beyond the traditional 35-degree limit. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without requiring an entirely complex reconfiguration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is divided into independently adjustable segments: the base body, base slide, lock bar with multiple holes, and arm assembly. Each segment can be adjusted independently through the locking mechanism (lock pin engaging different holes), allowing users to customize the recline angle in discrete increments. This segmentation provides adaptability while keeping the overall mechanism manageable in complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the base slide is allowed to move freely along the base body slot, then the adaptability and proximity adjustment are improved, but the stability of the support structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base slide mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. The base slide can move along the base body slot to adjust the proximity of the support, and the locking mechanism (lock pin engaging lock bar holes) provides stable positioning at selected locations. This dynamic-static transition resolves the contradiction by allowing adjustment when needed while maintaining stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be user-operated through the button body, which controls the lock pin's engagement with the lock bar holes. Users can easily lock or unlock the base slide position by pressing the button, allowing self-service adjustment without requiring complex external locking systems. This maintains stability while preserving adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking positions are provided along the base body slot, then the adaptability for different users is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete positions represented by multiple holes in the lock bar, spaced along the base body slot. The lock pin engages with these holes to provide stable locking at predetermined positions. This segmentation provides multiple adaptability options while keeping the locking mechanism simple in structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bar acts as an intermediary element between the base slide and the locking system. It provides the multiple positioning holes that the lock pin can engage, translating the continuous motion of the base slide into discrete stable positions. This intermediary simplifies the overall locking mechanism while providing multiple adaptability options.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting a user includes a faceplate, an arm, and a base. The faceplate has an opening to receive a user's face. The arm is attached to the faceplate and the base. The base includes a base slide that is slidable within a slot of a base body. The base slide includes one or more lock pins that releasably engage one of multiple holes in a lock bar. The lock bar is mechanically coupled to a button body. When the button body is pulled distally, the lock bar moves away from the base slide such that the lock pin(s) is/are removed from the corresponding hole(s) to allow the base slide to slide within the slot. When the button body is released, the lock bar moves towards the base slide such that the lock pin(s) is/are inserted into the same or different hole(s) to lock the slide's position.